Theatre News

Paul Baker reprises Olivier-winning role in Boy George’s Taboo

Paul Baker will reprise his role as club promoter Philip Sallon in the forthcoming revival of Boy George’s musical Taboo, which runs at Brixton Club House from 6 September to 23 December 2012.

As previously reported, the revival will be helmed by the show’s co-creator and original director, Whatsonstage.com Award-winner Christopher Renshaw. It is also “actively supported” by other members of the original creative team including book writer Mark Davies Markham, casting director Anne Vosser and Boy George himself.

Baker, who won an Olivier Award for the role in 2003, said: “It is fantastic news that Taboo is coming back to London, and back to its roots in a funky new venue. I am really excited about being asked to play Philip Sallon again and to work with the original creative team with some new additions. I am sure it will be as crazy and exciting as 2002.”

Taboo centres on Billy, an aspiring photographer, who launches himself onto London’s vibrant club scene during the “decadent” 80s. He encounters many of the era’s most notorious personalities – including Marilyn, Steve Strange, Leigh Bowery, Philip Sallon and George himself.

While Taboo includes snippets of some Culture Club classics, George also penned an original score with songs including “Ode to Attention Seekers”, “Stranger in this World”, “Love Is a Question Mark”, “Guttersnipe”, “Touched by the Hand of Cool”, “Out of Fashion” and “Pie in the Sky”.

The creative team recently met for a read-through at the Hospital Club
in London, attended by our Whatsonstage.com photographer Dan Wooller (gallery below).

Paul Baker‘s many West End credits include Amos in Chicago, Napoleon in Napoleon, Zazu and Timon in the original cast of The Lion King and Rusty in Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria).

TO SCROLL THROUGH
ALL OF THE PHOTOS,
JUST
CLICK ON THE “NEXT >” LINKS BELOW THE FOLLOWING
FRAME.
PHOTOS BY DAN WOOLLER
FOR WHATSONSTAGE.COM.


Co-costume designer Mike Nicholls and hair and make-up designer Christine Bateman are both confirmed for the production, alongside three times Oliver Award-winner Tim Goodchild who is working with Christopher to realise the “site specific environment of the world of Taboo“.

The existing team will be joined by choreographer Frank Thompson and lighting designer Howard Hudson.